Vinylbed vs Woodland Scenics Roadbed

[collingswood_don]

I wrote the HO standards expert for the NMRA:

QUOTE:
Are there HO standards for roadbed dimensions? I like the material that Vinylbed is made out of. However, their dimensions seem to be quite different from Woodland Scenics' and Midwest's. Vinylbed's width at the top of the roadbed (be it their 1/8", 3/16" or 1/4" thick product) is essentially a 1/4" inch narrower than its competitors'. Could you provide me any insight as to what is standard for width at the top of the roadbed?

I really was impressed with how quickly the NMRA responsed:

QUOTE:
I can not find a "Standard" for roadbed.

There are many different profiles for roadbed. Today's Class 1 railroad main line roadbed has a much different profile than the same section of track would have had in the 1940's. Branch line track has a different profile than main line track of the same era.

Most of the manufactures roadbed give a 45 degree bevel on the edge of the roadbed. I have found that for modern main line track the edge of the ballast should be closer 30 degrees from level ground. Also, the longer it has been since the ballast was replaced on the section of track, the flatter the profile.

Regards
William E. Jameson
Deputy, HO Standards

[collingswood_don]

I e-mailed the following to manufacturer of Vinylbed:

Your 3/16" HO roadbed is comparable in thickness to Woodland Scenics' and Midwest's roadbed. Yet, its width is 3/16" to 1/4" narrower than then others. Why is that? I would suppose that you folks would argue that your product's width is the one that is more realistic. Would you please comment on this question of roadbed width?

They quickly wrote back responding in part with this:

Back in 1988, before we began our roadbed business we did a lot of research at the NMRA library in Chattanooga Tennessee. Our dimensions are a scale design taken from roadbed standards of real life-size trains. The information is located at the library in the 'Railway & Engineering Encyclopedia'.

Okay, all of you prototype and NMRA standards experts, would you please fact check this? Both roadbeds that I referenced above have the same thinkness. Yet, WS's is 3/16" to 1/4" wider. Both cannot be most like the prototype.

Don

[ctyclsscs]

I recently used Vinylbed to build a layout and discovered a few things about it.

1. Overall, I liked how it turned out, but I found out that since it is made to order, it varies in texture from batch to batch. It can range from pretty firm to very spongy. The stuff I got was about in the middle, which wasn't too bad.

2. If you get spongy material, it's more difficult to cut even using using a very sharp knife or razor blade.

3. The most frustrating feature is that every piece is made to order and they don't stock a single piece of roadbed (or so they say). That means you have to wait 3-6 weeks to get anything and you have to make sure you order enough in advance. Otherwise, you have to wait another 3-6 weeks to get any more. Also, you can only order it by the case, which isn't to bad to start, but it's a pain if you only need a few pieces.

I still think it's neat stuff. Just make sure you're aware of the ordering policies.

Jim

[Anonymous]

I used the Woodland Scenics stuff on my layout, and for a novice MRR'r (me), it was really easy to work with and I thought the price was good, too.

[rrinker]

I can't speak for the vinylbed as I've never used it, but I used cork in the past and now I'm using the Woodland Scnics and I love it. I would never go back to cork.
I ue the HO size for my main tracks (HO scale), and the N scale roadbed under my sidings to lower them a little. The effect looks good on what I've built so far.

--Randy

[collingswood_don]

I have before me samples of 3/16" thick Vinylbed roadbed and Woodland Scenics (WS) roadbed. I am trying to determine which one to use for my new layout. The width of Vinylbed's product strikes me as being strange. It is 3/16" to 1/4" narrower than WS's and Midwest's products.

Is Vinylbed's roadbed the one that has the unrealistical width? I prefer it otherwise although it does cost two-thirds more than WS's product.

I would much appreciate any guidance that anyone can give me on this.